Staff reporter

Ninety five people from across the district have been helped into work through a new programme being offered by Mid Ulster District Council in partnership with South West College, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Northern and Southern Health & Social Care Trusts.

The innovative Step Up to Sustainable Employment+ (SUSE+) programme, which is supported by European Social Fund (ESF) through the Department for the Economy,assists those who are unemployed and economically inactive to secure and sustain employment with local businesses.

The programme provides a unique mix of work placement, qualifications and mentoring support to assist participants to meet their goals.

Operational since 1 July 2015, and scheduled to run until March 2018, the 95 participants to date have entered employment in a range of sectors including Food Processing, Retail, Health and Social Care and Transportation and Engineering.

Over the course of three years, the programme is required to support 758 participants, 349 of whom have already been recruited. Already 27% of participants have secured employment with 29% progressing into further education and training.

Commending the success of Year 1 of the programme, Chair of Mid Ulster Council, Councillor Trevor Wilson commented, “The SUSE+ programme is an extremely valuable one for those seeking employment in our community. SUSE+ is one of four employment programmes that the Council is currently match funding to help tackle unemployment in the area. The fact that so many have already secured employment through the programme demonstrates just how necessary and beneficial it is.”

Commenting on the Councils support Mrs Maria Hackett Head of Department South West College said, “South West College is delighted to be delivering the SUSE+ programme in partnership with Mid Ulster Council. The programme impacts are life changing for the participants and we look forward to continuing this partnership approach over the lifetime of the programme.”

Recruitment to the SUSE+ programme is on-going, for further information please email Marie.Skelton@swc.ac.uk or telephone 07442531665.